Moin Khot
Jan, 15.2024
League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) Winter Split 2024 has shattered the viewership record set during the previous season. The opening day of this season witnessed an unprecedented surge, surpassing the peak viewership of the entire first split of the 2023 season.
EsportsCharts, the industry authority on esports viewership, reported an astounding peak viewership during the first day of the LEC Winter Split 2024. This milestone was achieved a mere three hours into the split, eclipsing the peak of 555,521 viewers recorded during the 2023 Winter Split finals.
The pinnacle of the 2023 Winter Split occurred during the finals clash between MAD Lions and G2 Esports, amassing a peak viewership of 555K, according to EsportsCharts. However, the 2024 season's opening day has already left this figure in the dust, indicating a remarkable surge in viewer engagement.
The data from EsportsCharts reveals that the LEC 2024 Winter Split's opening day reported an astonishing peak viewership of over 600K viewers. This significant milestone was achieved during the clash between Fnatic and Karmine Corp, setting the stage for a thrilling and record-breaking season.
The hype surrounding this early success has ignited fervor and speculation among fans, analysts, and industry experts. Numerous factors have been attributed to this surge, with Karmine Corp taking center stage in discussions.
Maximilian Peter Schmidt, the director of LoL Esports EMEA, expressed his jubilation on social media. Drawing a comparison with the first week of the 2023 season, which peaked at 461,000 viewers, Schmidt extended his gratitude to the league's official co-streamers. Notably, Karmine Corp's co-owner, Kamel "Kameto" Kebir, contributed significantly, garnering over 140K viewers on Twitch during the match.
Over the past three years, Karmine Corp has rapidly cultivated one of the most substantial and dedicated fan bases in the League of Legends community. Acquiring Astralis' spot and joining the LEC stirred anticipation, promising an extraordinary debut that could shatter viewership records in 2024.
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The matchup between Karmine Corp and Fnatic, the league's longest-standing team, added an extra layer of depth to the viewership dynamic. This clash resonated deeply with fans and marked an impactful beginning to the 2024 League Season in EMEA.